Reciprocal data file publishing and matching system

Abstract

A method of reciprocally publishing and matching data files is disclosed. The method includes facilitating the creation of Category A and Category B data files having a respective sets of characteristics defined utilizing a common language architecture, associating enhancement objects with each data file, identifying characteristics in each data file which must be met by other data files, weighting characteristics in each data file differently from other characteristics in the same data file, enabling the selection of participation levels for each data file in marketspaces, and matching Category A data files participating in particular marketspaces to Category B data files participating in the same marketspaces using the common language architecture, the enhancement objects, the weights and the required characteristics.

1. A computer-implemented method of reciprocally and automatically matching data files, the method comprising the steps of:
 storing a resume-based data file containing the qualifications of a particular job-seeker, the qualifications being arranged as a first set of characteristics corresponding to the job-seeker; 
 storing a job description-based data file containing the qualifications of a particular job opening, the qualifications being arranged as a second set of characteristics corresponding to the job opening; 
 associating a first enhancement data object with the resume-based data file, wherein the first enhancement data object comprises a collection of supplemental data further describing the job-seeker; 
 associating a second enhancement data object with the job description-based data file, wherein the second enhancement data object comprises a collection of supplemental data further describing the job opening; 
 automatically comparing the contents of the resume-based data file to the contents of the job description-based data file; 
 automatically comparing the contents of the first enhancement object to the contents of the second enhancement object; and 
 automatically matching the resume-based data file to the job description-based data file at least partially on the basis of the outcome of the automatic comparison of the contents of the resume-based data file to the contents of the job description-based data file, and at least partially on the outcome of the automatic comparison of the contents of the respective first and second enhancement objects. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first enhancement object is an assessment of the thinking styles of the job-seeker, and wherein the second enhancement object is an assessment of the thinking styles required by the job opening. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first enhancement object is an assessment of the work preferences of the job-seeker, and wherein the second enhancement object is an assessment of the work styles required by the job opening. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first enhancement object is an assessment of the professional skills possessed by the job-seeker, and wherein the second enhancement object is an assessment of the professional skills required by the job opening. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 in response to a command from a first user, facilitating the creation of the first enhancement object on the basis of input from the first user; and 
 in response to a command from a second user, facilitating the creation of the second enhancement object, wherein the creation of the second enhancement object occurs independently from the input provided by the first user. 
 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically matching includes:
 assessing the fit of the job description-based data file and its associated enhancement object to the resume-based data file and its associated enhancement object, and 
 reciprocally assessing the fit of the resume-based data file and its associated enhancement object to the job description-based data file and its associated enhancement object.